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1. How to study: this is what I do now and what I used to do in the past

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1. How to study: this is what I do now and what I used to do in the past

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When I was still in high-school, my way of learning was centered on learning by heart. Only when I started the university I realized how bad and counterproductive that method was. Learning things by heart does not give the opportunity to fully understand the real meaning behind words. Even though it may seem easier and more efficient, using such method costs a lot of time and patience. It takes a great deal of time to memorize word for word and most of the time it turns out to be pointless and unhelpful. In the long run, everything we have learned will be erased from our memory.

It wasn’t until I started this degree program that I changed my mindset and realized the importance of understanding what I am learning. When I study, I no longer memorize every sentence, but I rather focus on what really matters.

I can now say that I am pretty satisfied with the way I study. I enjoy applying the things I learn to my everyday life and my study sessions do not feel as a duty anymore. I try to see them as a game, as something where I can challenge myself. Furthermore, there are other tricks I apply when I study. For example, one of the first things I do is getting rid of everything that deflects my attention. Another thing that helps me to study is making conceptual maps, in which I include the most important things to remember.

Finally, when I start to see no point in studying, I try to remember why I am doing it and how useful it will be in the long run.

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3. Friendship in my life: what I do to cultivate the relationships I care about and the role they play in making me happy

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3. Friendship in my life: what I do to cultivate the relationships I care about and the role they play in making me happy

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Friendships are undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of everyone’s life. The people we surround ourselves with, in fact, play a major role in defining who we are and who we aspire to be.

Sometimes, however, people take them for granted without even noticing it. That is the reason why it is essential to cultivate the relationships we care about. The first thing I do to maintain a bond with my friends is to reach them out when possible. No matter how busy I am, I always try to find the time to hear from them and to know how they are doing. Another important thing that binds people is sharing experiences and collecting memories. For example, my friends and I plan a holiday once a year to spend some quality time together and to celebrate our friendship. I firmly believe this is the best way to get even closer and to strengthen the love we have for one another.

Finally, I can say that friends are the ones who I can always count on, whenever I feel anxious or sad. They play a big role in making me happy because of their massive support and their constant presence. Friendship is important also because it helps you to grow as an individual. It is a space where you can exchange opinions and point of views, where you can truly be yourself without being judged. Finally, friends are people who brings out the best version of yourself by encouraging you, giving you advices and sharing with you their values. However, they are not here just to tell us  nice things. Friends are also the ones who tell you if something you do is wrong and they do not hold back when it is time to make you notice your mistakes.

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6. Where is your happy place? Why is it your happy place? 

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6. Where is your happy place? Why is it your happy place? 

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I would definitely say that my happy place is the sea. It does not matter to me where or who I am with, the sea will always be the place where I can truly free my mind from the thoughts that run through my head. When I look at the sea, especially during the sunset, I feel a sense of freedom that I do not feel anywhere else. The sea is my happy place because it is where I never feel alone, where I can completely be myself.

When I lay on the seashore, everything feels right and in place. I feel like I can escape momentarily from reality and enter a world that is unknown to me. That brings me inspiration and the desire to do something more with my life. The sea is suggestive, inspiring and mysterious and the energy I get just by looking at it is immeasurable.

Another reason why I consider the sea my happy place is because it brings to mind childhood memories. It reminds me of when I used to spend whole days with my family at the beach. My brother and I used to build huge sand castles and collect hundreds of seashells. Whenever I feel nostalgic, I just need to look at the sea in order to relive those moments.

Lastly, I adore how it brings people together. For this reason, the sea conveys to me a sense of ease, where everyone is happy and relaxed. Even when I go by myself, there are so many people that I get the impression to know them and to share my day with them.

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11. Meeting people from different cultures: what I do and how I behave 

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11. Meeting people from different cultures: what I do and how I behave 

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I always get excited when I get the chance to meet people from different cultures. The first thing I do is remembering that every premature impression that I have ever had about that culture may be wrong and misguided, so it is important not to make generalizations. Another thing I do is acknowledging that everyone has different lifestyles and different ways to perceive the world. I try not to think ethnocentrically and I listen carefully to what they have to say. I personally think that learning to listen to others is one of the best way to overcome social boundaries and to understand that cultural differences are a blessing and not a threat.

After that, I ask as many question as possible, of course without being indiscreet. Being curious about other people’s lives and experiences is the secret to become a person who is not self-centered and who does not make everything about themselves.

Furthermore, I try to notice the differences and the similarities between their culture and mine. It is fascinating to analyze the things we have in common and the things for which we differ. This could be related to culture, traditions, education, holidays and even food. It is also important to know what they struggle with as a community. When we get the opportunity to talk to someone from a different culture, in fact, another important thing to remember is that we may be talking to someone who is less privileged than us. Therefore it is necessary to remember that everyone has had different opportunities and faced different problems in the course of life.

Lastly, I try to get closer to their cultural values and history by learning something new on a practical level. For example, I enjoy learning a few words or sentences of their native language or attending local ceremonies.

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9. Can the context affect children’s and young people’s ideas of happiness? How?

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9. Can the context affect children’s and young people’s ideas of happiness? How?

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I firmly believe that the context has the power to affect children’s and young people’s ideas of happiness. It would be impossible to deny that the environment in which people grow up contributes to shape them on a personal level. This occurs also when it comes to the idea we have of happiness.

Children grow up following their parents’ ideas and ways to perceive the world. If they are raised in a loving environment filled with joy, they will definitely grow up with that idea of happiness. They will reinforce the idea that happiness has something to do with wellness, comfort and love.

It is possible to say that being loved as a kid is essential in order to learn what happiness is.

Living in a stimulating context can also have an impact on young people’s perception of happiness.

When people are encouraged from a young age to make lots of experiences and to try different things, they will be more inclined to go beyond what they already know and to explore new environments. And when you get the chance to experience things that are unfamiliar and out of your zone of comfort, you will inevitably come to terms with different concepts of happiness and different ways to feel happy.

However, young people’s idea of happiness concerns not only family, or more specifically parents, but also caregivers, teachers and friends, because they are the ones kids look up to. Therefore, every area of an individual’s life contributes to shape his or her idea of happiness.

On the other hand, an unloving childhood tends to influence all spheres of life, making it difficult to know what happiness truly means. Bad experiences, painful relationships and stifling environments firstly worsen your relationship with yourself and with the idea of happiness.

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8. Does happiness have a role in people’s professional and personal success in your opinion?

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8. Does happiness have a role in people’s professional and personal success in your opinion?

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I do believe happiness has a role in people’s professional and personal success. The reason why I say that is because the way we feel massively affects every sphere of life. When we are at peace with the world, automatically we take things slightly and see everything with more optimism.

We often make the mistake of believing that it is professional success that leads to happiness, and that only once we reach a certain job position we will be truly gratified. The truth is that there can be no success if we feel awful about ourselves. Seeing the good in everything makes people face difficulties and inconveniences with more confidence and determination. It makes them focus on their goal, no matter how hard it can be.

On the contrary, when people see things in a negative way, as a result they will be less inclined to commit and work hard, because they see no point in doing that. Their own attitude becomes an actual obstacle to every project they want to accomplish. This causes a vicious cycle from which it is hard to get out, because the real threat becomes their own mind.

Even though our thoughts have the power to influence what happens to us, it is essential to remember that not everything depends on our feelings. Even the happiest person on earth can fail, professionally or on a personal level. There are hundreds of factors and circumstances to consider. However, it is important to keep a positive attitude in order to attract good things. We ought to look at things in perspective because this is what gives us the strength to try again and to reach comfort, personally and professionally.